Improvement in velocipedes



2F. s.. sE-AanAvE.

2 Sheets--Sheet l.

Velocipede.

Patented Oct. 26,1825.

2`Sheets-Sheet2. F S. SEAGRAVE. v

velucipede. N0, 159,302, Patented 0c't.26,l875.

PLPETERS, PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER, WASHINETGN, D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AFREDERIC s. 'SEAGEAVE 0F DETROIT, MICHIGAN.'

IMPROVEMENT |N vE|.,oc|PEDE's.

Specification forming part of Letters `Patent N o. 169,302', datedOctober 26, 1875 ;4 application filed` g- April 27, 1875.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FREDERIC S. SEA- GRAVE,of Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have inventedan lmprovement in Velocipedes, of which the following is aspecification:

My invention has for its object to so combine a pair of pedals, two ormore frictionpawls, and two or more friction-wedges, with severalincased coiled springs, as to not only make available the weight ofthehuman body, but alsoA the recoil of the springs, to the propulsion ofvelocipedes and other Wheeled vehicles on land, and light vessels oatingin a duid.

Figure 1, Sheet 1, is perspective view of a velocipede having myimprovement applied thereto. Fig. 2, Sheet 2, is a longitudinal verticalsection at w w in Fig. 3, which is a transverse section at y y in Fig.2. FiguiE is an enlarged vertical section through a spring and case,taken on the line w w. Fig. 5 is acrosssection of the sameat z z. Fig. 6is an elevation of the inner face of a friction-pawl plate. Fig. 7 is across-section of the same at c c, showing also a part of thespring-case, in which it is sleeved, and with which it engages.

1n the drawing, A represents an iron frame, triangular in its generaloutline, across and under which an axle, B, is journaled through boxes,carrying a driving-wheel, C, sleeved upon each arm. There is aspring-pawl on the inner end of each hub, which engages with a ratcheton theaxle, causing the wheels -to rotate in a forward direction, butwhich leaves them free to turn backward independently, or to remainstationary, as when turning a short curve. C is the front orguiding'wheel, journaled in a forked pedestal, D, whose shank'passes upthrough a forward prolongation of the frame. Its top end is squared toreceive a tiller, E, which extends back over and is locked in a notchedsegment, F, erected on the fore part of the frame. G is a seat, mountedon two arched braces, H El, extending from the front to the rear end ofthe frame. The seat-braces are arched up above the plane ofthe seat infront thereof. At each side of the seat the inner end f a strong coiledspring,

I,.is secured to the axle.- The spring is inclosed in a cylindricalcase, J, to whose rim its outer end is secured, or rather to 011e of thetransverse bolts a. near the rim, which holds the heads or sidestogether. rlhe inner head is provided with a circular flange, K, whichreceives the end of a friction-drum, L, sleeved on the axle. The innerface or end of this drum has several cam-dogs, b, pivoted to it near thecenter, each thrown forward by a spring, c, behind it, so as toprotrudeits obliquely curved end beyond the periphery. When the drunI isinserted in the ange K the drum may turn freely backward on the axle,but if turned forward these dogs catch against the ilange, and carry thespring-case with it, coiling or winding up the spring from the outerend. Under the front edge of theseat there are two pulleys, d d, inline, over which runs a cord, c, one end of which is taken down under,around, and over a groove, f, in the drum, thence down to a pedal, g,sliding in guides h pendant from the center bar in the main frame, andsupported at their lower ends by diagonal braces fi. The cords at theback part of each drum are secured by staples or otherwise, to preventslipping thereon. The back girt of the frame A is depressed below theplane ofthe axle, and passes in close proximity to the rims of y thespring-cases, each of which has a friction-wedge, M, inserted between itand the frame-girt, which wedge is so suspended by a C-spring, N, as toallow the spring-case to rotate forward, as in propelling the vehicle,but will wedge it fast against any tendency to turn back from the recoilof the spring. O is a spring-bar, whose ends are secured to the sides ofthe main frame, but whose main part extends across the rims of thedriving-wheels, but not in contact therewith, un-

less pulled back by the operator, who grasps the bar in his hands andleans back in the seat when he wishes to stop the vehicle.

The .springs are wound up byvalternately depressing the pedals, and, assoon as they are under tension, they will, through the mechanismdescribed, move the axle and wheels forward. The motion of the vehiclecan be kept up by a moderate movement of the pedals;

`but where great speed is to be made thesprin gs l are Woundi up totheir greatest tension by full arid rapid strokes or reciprocation ofthepedals; or power may be stored up in the springs,

to enable the vehicle to run up an incline.

When exertinghisfull power the rider stands upright to workfthe pedals,steadying himself by grasping the arches of the seat-braces, and mayassist his weight by` pulling down with each hand alternately to depressthetreadle.

The mechanism described may also be applied to the propulsion of variouskinds of machinery` `Where high speedr may be required for limitedperiods of time, and to the propulsion' of vessels of small size `and,light weight in water' or other liuids.

What I claim as my invention is-, The combination ofthe pedals, thecord, the

' "frictional clutches, drums, and the friction- Wedges, with thespring-cases and their coiled springs, for rotatingr the `axle or wheelshaft, al1 substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

FREDERIC S.` SEAGRAVE.

Witnesses:

H. F. EBERTS, H. S. SPRAGUE.

